Lumbo-sacral support

ABSTRACT

A lumbo-sacral support includes an elastic body-encircling band, and a substantially inelastic tensioning system associated with the band to tension the band. The band further includes spaced para-spinal bars, and a portion of the tensioning system overlies the bars to press them into supporting engagement with the body of a wearer.

United States Patent Wax 1451 Dec. 23, 1975 2 9,475 10,1940 Flaherty123. 711 1 LUMBO-SACRAL SUPPORT Inventor: Jerome wax, /0 Poswrchek53323323 311323 32?T.jjiiiiijijjj""" jijijjii: iii/33$ orthopffdicProducts, Sham" 3.194.234 7/l965 Duckman 127/010. 15 Industr al ParkCalcon H Road. 3,717,143 2/1973 Johnson 128/78 Sharon Hill, Pa. 19079221 Filed: June 21, 1974 j' f'f fg i y x' ij' Gaud a. $515 an xammer- PPNod 481.638 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert C. Podwil 1521 113.0...128/78 [57] ABSTRACT 51 1111. cm ..A6lF /02 A lumbo-sacral pp includesan elastic 58 Field of Search 128 78 95 96 DIG. l5 encll'cmg 1 a stanuaY me astlc 'l'bddb'll'l" ing system associated with the band to tensionthe [56] References Ci d band. The band further includes spacedpara-spinal UNITED STATES PATENTS bars, and a portion of the tensioningsystem overlies the bars to press them into supporting engagement21333233 :33; $331???111:1:""iijijjiiijijjii:33:1 153132 with body of aWear/er- 2.117.309 5/l938 Fritsch l28/78 15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 11 ..1E\ :21 -.'."F:;1':- J

I. 1 'I. a I M '62 2 .17? 32 A017: l 34 y Q 1 g I l /8 I :1 l 5 1 64 is2? as US. Patent Dec.23, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,927,665

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,927,665

1 LUMBO-SACRAL SUPPORT This invention relates to an orthopedic support,and more particularly, to an orthopedic support of the type designed toprovide support for the lower spine and pelvis and generally referred toas a lumbo-sacral support.

A wide variety of lumbo-sacral support or corset constructions haveheretofore been proposed. Those which are logically designed inaccordance with the consensus of professional opinion as to theirrequirements are capable of (l) applying controlled circumferentialcompression to the pelvis to assist in binding the sacrum and left andright inominate bones together, thus establishing a base capable ofreceiving and properly distributing the weight transmitted to it by thelower lumbar spine, and (2) rigidifying and limiting movement of thelower spine.

Numerous prior patents have described structures seeking to achieve oneor both of the above aims. Typical of these are the articles disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 2,104,699, issued to L. R. ODell; U.S. Pat. No.2,793,368, issued to M. Nouel; U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,027, issued to 1. S.Lehman; U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,434, issued to R. W. Kilbey; and U.S. Pat.No. 3,717,143, issued to C. H. Johnson; among many others. The prior artdevices include a variety of structures using elastic or inelasticbody-encircling bands, and typically, flexible stays, the principalpurpose of which, as stated, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,143, isto give the band body and to prevent rolling of upper and lower edges.

While the present support makes use of stays for particular purposes,desired rigidification and limitation of movement are derived not fromstays, but from the interaction of rigid or semi-rigid bars disposedparaspinally, and a tensioning system associated with a body-encirclingband to which the bars are affixed. The tensioning system of the presentinvention provides the sought-after circumferential compression of thepelvis and sacroiliac, and at the same time firmly and substantiallyuniformly presses the bars into engagement with the body of the wearer.It should be understood that the use of para-spinal bars has beenproposed in patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,096, issued to l. M.Pease and U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,434, issued to R. W. Kilbey, but inneither of these is the present mechanism employed to uniformly andfirmly apply force to the bars.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,201,933, M. W. Burk; 1,974,283 and 2,100,964, to A. B.Kendrick; 2,117,309, to L. A. Fritsch; 2,476,029, to .l. R. Dawson and3,096,760 to H. G. Nelkin are other patents directed to various supportconstructions, but each is significantly lacking in important structuraland functional aspects of the present invention.

Another aspect of this invention is the provision of a lumbo-sacralsupport wherein cooperative interaction between an elasticbody-encircling band and a substantially inelastic tensioning systempermits fitting of a given size of support to patients having a widerange of hipor waist-based sizes. This attribute of the presentlumbo-sacral support makes it possible to reduce the number of sizesoffered from eight to four, without affecting the efficacy of thesupport.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a novel lumbo-sacral support.

It is another and more particular object of this invention to provide alumbo-sacral support in which essen- 2 tially rigid para-spinal barsprovide support for the lumbo-sacral region of the wearers back.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel lumbo-sacralsupport in which a given nominal hip-or waist-based size of support issuitable for fitting to patients within a wide range of individualsizes.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a lumbo-sacralsupport wherein a substantially inelastic tensioning systemsimultaneously provides the functions of tensioning an elasticbody-encircling band so as to apply controlled circumferentialcompression to the pelvis ofa wearer; applying leveraged forces to apair of rigid or semi-rigid para-spinal bars to rigidify and limitmovement of lower spine; and, in conjunction with the elasticity of abody-encircling band and other features of the invention, providing forsignificant size adjustments in a support having a given nominal size.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention are realized, in onepresently preferred form of the invention, by an orthopedic supportcomprising an elastic body-encircling band, a pair-of spaced,substantially parallel upright bars coupled to and extendingtransversely with respect to the circumferential axis of the band, and asubstantially inelastic tensioning means coupled to the band and adaptedto apply tension to the band and leveraged forces uniformly and firmlydistributed along a multiplicity of sections of the bars.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred, it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a plan view, showing a support in accordance with theinvention disposed in a flat condition.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view, showing a support in accordance with theinvention as it would appear fastened to the body of a wearer andoperatively disposed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing a typical paraspinal bar inaccordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is seen in H6. 1 a support, designated generally bythe reference numeral 10. The support 10 includes an elasticbodyencircling band, designated generally by the reference numeral 12,comprising leg portions l4, l6, l8 and 20 of elastic fabric, and asubstantially inelastic back panel or portion 22. Respective edges ofthe leg portions l4, l6, l8 and 20 are joined to the back panel 22 atseams 24 and 26. Respective ends of the leg portions 14 and 16 and ofthe leg portions 18 and 20 are defined by fold lines 28 and 30. Thus, itwill be seen that the leg portions 14, l6, l8 and 20 and the back panel22 form a continuous band, capable of encircling the body of a wearer,and which is essentially elastic in character by virtue of theelasticity of the leg portions 14, 16, 18 and 20. Respective ends of theband 12 are provided with closure means 32 and 34. lnterengagement ofthe closure means 32 and 34 when the band 12 is operatively disposedcreates, in effect, a continuous body-encircling band. The closure means32 and 34 in the illus trated and presently preferred form of theinvention are the commercially available material sold under thetrademark Velcro. Other suitable closure means. such as snaps, hooks andeyes and the like, will occur to those skilled in the art. The closuremeans should per- 3 mit closing of the band within a range of nominalcircumferential sizes, and this is accomplished in the illustratedembodiment by making the element 32 of the closure means 32 and 34substantially longer in the direction of the circumferential axis of theband 12 than the element 34.

A pair of parallel pockets 36 and 38 are affixed to an outer face of theback panel 22, and adapted to receive a pair of bars 40 and 42, disposedpara-spinally when the support is operatively disposed.

A tensioning system or means, designated generally by the referencenumeral 44, is operatively associated with the band 12, and will now bedescribed in detail. The tensioning system 44 comprises a system ofsubstantially inelastic straps, so configured that they applysubstantially uniform and widely distributed forces to the bars and 42and provide leverage to project the bars 40 and 42 firmly intoengagement with the back of a wearer of the support. In the illustratedembodiment, the tensioning system 44 includes first generally V- shapedanchorage straps, 46 and 48, the respective leg portions 46a and 48a ofwhich are attached to the band 12 at zones of attachment defined byseams 24' and 26'. The anchorage straps 46 and 48 are so configured thattheir respective vertices 46b and 48b lie on opposite sides of the bars40 and 42 from the zones of attachment of the leg portions 46a and 48ato the band 12. Thus, as is apparent in FIGS. 1 and 3, portions of bothof the anchorage straps 46 and 48 are adapted to overlie each of thebars 40 and 42 when the support 10 is operatively disposed.

Coupled to the anchorage straps 46 and 48 are respective straps 50 and52, made adjustable as to length by self-locking buckles 54 and 56 ofconventional type. The straps 50 and 52 are anchored to the band 12 attheir remote or distal ends, in presently preferred forms of theapparatus by means of V-shaped straps 58 and 60. The anchorage straps 46and 48 may be coupled to the straps 50 and 52, and the straps 50 and 52coupled to the straps 58 and 60 by means of links 62 or other suitablemeans capable of accommodating relative sliding or running" movementbetween the respective straps which they interconnect. The variousstraps which make up the tensioning system 44 are substantiallyinelastic, and may be made of heavy weight nonelastic webbing or thelike.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the seams 24, 24', 26 and 26' define, in theillustrated form of the invention, pockets adapted to receive and retainflexible stays 64, 66, 68 and 70.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in its usage, the support 10 is first wrappedaround the body of the wearer and the closure means 32 and 34interengaged. In interengaging the closure means 32 and 34, the legportions l4, 16, 18 and 20 may be stretched by hand tension to give thewearer a feeling of snugness. The elasticity of the band 12 andadjustability of the closure means 32 and 34 provide a measure of customfitting of the support 10 to a particular wearer. Operative tensioningof the tensioning system 44 is accomplished by manipulation of thestraps 50 and 52 and the buckles 54 and 56, and tension in the strap 50is transmitted through the links 62 to the anchorage strap 48 and strap58. Similarly, tensioning of the strap 52, not seen in FIG. 2, appliestension through the links 62 to the anchorage strap 46 and strap 60.

Operative tension in the anchorage straps 46 and 48 induced by tensionin the straps 50 and 52 may cause the formation of pleats in the backpanel 22 adjacent to the seams 24' and 26', although it is preferredthat the band 12 maintain the essentially smooth configuration shown inFIG. 2. Pleat formation will, in some cases, serve as another mechanismwhereby the circumference of the band can be adjusted for the purpose offit. lt will be noted that media] portions of the legs 46a of theanchorage strap 46 and also portions of the anchorage strap 48 overlieportions of the pocket 36 containing the bar 40, and that similarly,medial portions of the legs 48a of the anchorage strap 48 and alsoportions of the anchorage strap 46 overlie portions of the pocket 38containing the bar 42.

The cross-section of a wearers body is such that the above-describedconfiguration of the tensioning means 44 in relation to the bars 40 and42 results in leveraging of the forces applied to the bars 40 and 42.Moreover, the width of the anchorage straps 46 and 48, and theiroperative disposition with respect to the bars 40 and 42 causes them toapply to the bars 40 and 42 widely distributed forces, tending to firmlyand substantially evenly press the bars 40 and 42 into supportingengagement with the body of a wearer. FIG. 4 serves to illustrate thetypical configuration of the bars 40 and 42, curved to conform to thelumbo-sacral curve of a wearer. The application of well-distributedforces to the bars 40 and 42 enhances the effectiveness of the bars. Inone present operative embodiment of the support 10, the bars 40 and 42are roughly 10% inches in length, and the portions of the anchoragestraps 46 and 48 which overlie them have a combined effective width ofnearly 9 inches.

Certain of the unique structural aspects of the present support 10,particularly the elasticity of the leg portions l4, 16, 18 and 20 andthe ability of the closure means 32 and 34 to provide a range in whichthey are interengageable, serve to reduce the number of sizes in whichthe support 10 need be made. A typical size offering for prior artsupports, for example, would include eight sizes (e.g., in hip-basedsizes, 30-44 inclusive, in two inch increments), but the present support10 can be provided in as few as four sizes due to its ability to take upconsiderable size differences without compromise of its function.

In a modified form of the invention, the straps 50 and 52 can be madewith a limited degree of initial elasticity, it having been found thatthe sensation imparted by yielding of the straps 50 and 52 upontensioning of the tensioning system 44 gives the wearer a satisfyingfeeling of snugness." Thus, referring to FIG. 1, the segments 50a and52a of the straps 50 and 52 may be made of an elastic material similarto the material of the leg portions 14, 16, 18 and 20. Material of thistype may be capable of elongation to percent of its initial length butwhen elongated to its elastic limit is substantially inelastic. Properadjustment of the straps 50 and 52 upon tensioning of the tensioningsystem 44 will gradually draw the segments 50a and 52a to their ultimatelengths, and in their operative condition, the straps 50 and 52 will besubstantially inelastic.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential attributes, and accordingly,reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to theforegoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An orthopedic support comprising a substantially elastic band memberadapted to encircle the body and to overlie the lumbo-sacral region ofthe back of a wearer, a pair of spaced substantially upright barscoupled to and extending transversely with respect to thecircumferential axis of said band member and disposed on opposite sidesof the spine of a wearer when the support is operatively disposed, andsubstantially inelastic tensioning means coupled to said band member andadapted to tension said band member so as to apply circumferentialcompression to the pelvis of a wearer, said tensioning means having endportions thereof anchored to respective zones of attachment on said bandmember disposed on opposite sides of the spine of a wearer and furtherportions thereof extending across the spine of a wearer when saidsupport is operatively disposed, said end portions extending across andover lying said bars so as to apply distributed forces thereto to presssaid bars into supporting engagement with the lower back of the wearer.

2. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bandmember comprises a substantially nonelastic portion adapted to overliethe back of a wearer and elastic portions coupled to said non-elasticportion adjacent respective lateral edges of said nonelastic portion,said zones of attachment for said tensioning means being so disposedthat adjustment of said tensioning means is adapted to form pleatsextending transversely with respect to the circumferential axis of saidband member so as to adjust the effective circumference of said bandmember.

3. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 1, and said endportions of said tensioning means comprising generally V-shaped membershaving respective leg portions thereof secured to said band member andrespective vertex portions thereof adapted to extend across the spine ofa wearer from said respective zones of attachment, said tensioning meansfurther comprising strap portions coupled to said vertex portions andhaving distal end portions thereof coupled to portions of said bandmember adjacent distal ends of said band member.

4. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 3, wherein said strapportions include means facilitating adjustment of said web portions asto length.

5. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 3, wherein said strapportions include distal end portions thereof coupled to said band memberat locations remote from said respective zones of attachment.

6. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidtensioning means include distal end portions thereof coupled to saidband member at locations remote from said respective zones ofattachment.

7. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 6, wherein saidtensioning means include elastic portions thereof adapted to be extendedto the limit of their elasticity when said tensioning means areoperatively disposed.

8. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 6, wherein said bandmember comprises a substantially non-elastic portion adapted to overliethe back of a wearer and elastic portions coupled to said non-elasticportion adjacent respective lateral edges of said nonelastic portion,said zones of attachment for said tensioning means being so disposedthat adjustment of said tensioning means is adapted to form pleatsextending transversely with respect to the circumferential axis of saidband so as to adjust the effective circumference of said band.

9. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 8, and said endportions of said tensioning means comprising generally V-shaped membershaving respective leg portions thereof secured to said band andrespective vertex portions thereof adapted to extend across the spine ofa wearer from said respective zones of attachment, said tensioning meansfurther comprising web portions coupled to said vertex portions andhaving distal end portions thereof coupled to portions of said bandmember adjacent distal ends of said band member.

10. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 9, and means coupledto respective ends of said band member for operatively coupling saidends within a range of circumferentially spaced positions.

11. In an orthopedic support comprising a continuous substantiallyelastic band member adapted to encircle the body of a wearer, andsubstantially inelastic tensioning means coupled to said band member andadapted to tension said band member so as to apply circumferentialcompression to the body of a wearer,

said tensioning means having end portions thereof anchored to respectivezones of attachment on said band disposed on opposite sides of andspaced from the spine of a wearer and further portions thereof extendingfrom said zones of attachment across the spine of a wearer when saidsupport is operatively disposed, and spaced paraspinal bars coupled tosaid band member and disposed on opposite sides of the spine of a wearerwhen said support is operatively disposed, said tensioning meansoverlying said bars when said support is operatively disposed so as topress said bars into supporting engagement with the lower back of awearer.

12. In an orthopedic support in accordance with claim 11, said zones ofattachment for said tensioning means being so disposed that adjustmentof said tensioning means is adapted to form a pair of pleats extendingtransversely with respect to the circumferential axis of said bandmember so as to adjust the effective circumference of said band member.

13. In an orthopedic support in accordance with claim 11, means coupledto respective ends of said band member for operatively coupling saidends within a range of circumferentially spaced positions.

14. In an orthopedic support in accordance with claim 13, said bandmember comprising a substantially nonelastic portion adapted to overliethe back of a wearer and elastic portions couplcd to said nonelasticportion adjacent respective lateral edges of said nonelastic portion.

15. In an orthopedic support in accordance with claim 13, said endportions of said tensioning means comprising generally V-shaped membershaving respective leg portions thereof secured to said band andrespective vertex portions thereof adapted to extend across the spine ofa wearer from said respective zones of attachment and to overlie saidbars, said tensioning means further comprising web portions coupled tosaid vertex portions and having distal end portions thereof coupled toportions of said band adjacent distal ends of said band.

l l l I

1. An orthopedic support comprising a substantially elastic band memberadapted to encircle the body and to overlie the lumbosacral region ofthe back of a wearer, a pair of spaced substantially upright barscoupled to and extending transversely with respect to thecircumferential axis of said band member and disposed on opposite sidesof the spine of a wearer when the support is operatively disposed, andsubstantially inelastic tensioning means coupled to said band member andadapted to tension said band member so as to apply circumferentialcompression to the pelvis of a wearer, said tensioning means having endportions thereof anchored to respective zones of Attachment on said bandmember disposed on opposite sides of the spine of a wearer and furtherportions thereof extending across the spine of a wearer when saidsupport is operatively disposed, said end portions extending across andoverlying said bars so as to apply distributed forces thereto to presssaid bars into supporting engagement with the lower back of the wearer.2. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bandmember comprises a substantially nonelastic portion adapted to overliethe back of a wearer and elastic portions coupled to said non-elasticportion adjacent respective lateral edges of said non-elastic portion,said zones of attachment for said tensioning means being so disposedthat adjustment of said tensioning means is adapted to form pleatsextending transversely with respect to the circumferential axis of saidband member so as to adjust the effective circumference of said bandmember.
 3. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 1, and saidend portions of said tensioning means comprising generally V-shapedmembers having respective leg portions thereof secured to said bandmember and respective vertex portions thereof adapted to extend acrossthe spine of a wearer from said respective zones of attachment, saidtensioning means further comprising strap portions coupled to saidvertex portions and having distal end portions thereof coupled toportions of said band member adjacent distal ends of said band member.4. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 3, wherein said strapportions include means facilitating adjustment of said web portions asto length.
 5. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 3, whereinsaid strap portions include distal end portions thereof coupled to saidband member at locations remote from said respective zones ofattachment.
 6. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid tensioning means include distal end portions thereof coupled tosaid band member at locations remote from said respective zones ofattachment.
 7. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid tensioning means include elastic portions thereof adapted to beextended to the limit of their elasticity when said tensioning means areoperatively disposed.
 8. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim6, wherein said band member comprises a substantially non-elasticportion adapted to overlie the back of a wearer and elastic portionscoupled to said non-elastic portion adjacent respective lateral edges ofsaid non-elastic portion, said zones of attachment for said tensioningmeans being so disposed that adjustment of said tensioning means isadapted to form pleats extending transversely with respect to thecircumferential axis of said band so as to adjust the effectivecircumference of said band.
 9. An orthopedic support in accordance withclaim 8, and said end portions of said tensioning means comprisinggenerally V-shaped members having respective leg portions thereofsecured to said band and respective vertex portions thereof adapted toextend across the spine of a wearer from said respective zones ofattachment, said tensioning means further comprising web portionscoupled to said vertex portions and having distal end portions thereofcoupled to portions of said band member adjacent distal ends of saidband member.
 10. An orthopedic support in accordance with claim 9, andmeans coupled to respective ends of said band member for operativelycoupling said ends within a range of circumferentially spaced positions.11. In an orthopedic support comprising a continuous substantiallyelastic band member adapted to encircle the body of a wearer, andsubstantially inelastic tensioning means coupled to said band member andadapted to tension said band member so as to apply circumferentialcompression to the body of a wearer, said tensioning means having endportions thereof anchored to respective zones of attachment on said banddisposed on opposite sides of And spaced from the spine of a wearer andfurther portions thereof extending from said zones of attachment acrossthe spine of a wearer when said support is operatively disposed, andspaced paraspinal bars coupled to said band member and disposed onopposite sides of the spine of a wearer when said support is operativelydisposed, said tensioning means overlying said bars when said support isoperatively disposed so as to press said bars into supporting engagementwith the lower back of a wearer.
 12. In an orthopedic support inaccordance with claim 11, said zones of attachment for said tensioningmeans being so disposed that adjustment of said tensioning means isadapted to form a pair of pleats extending transversely with respect tothe circumferential axis of said band member so as to adjust theeffective circumference of said band member.
 13. In an orthopedicsupport in accordance with claim 11, means coupled to respective ends ofsaid band member for operatively coupling said ends within a range ofcircumferentially spaced positions.
 14. In an orthopedic support inaccordance with claim 13, said band member comprising a substantiallynonelastic portion adapted to overlie the back of a wearer and elasticportions coupled to said non-elastic portion adjacent respective lateraledges of said non-elastic portion.
 15. In an orthopedic support inaccordance with claim 13, said end portions of said tensioning meanscomprising generally V-shaped members having respective leg portionsthereof secured to said band and respective vertex portions thereofadapted to extend across the spine of a wearer from said respectivezones of attachment and to overlie said bars, said tensioning meansfurther comprising web portions coupled to said vertex portions andhaving distal end portions thereof coupled to portions of said bandadjacent distal ends of said band.